Fasting

فِطْرُكَ أَخَاكَ الصَّائِمَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ صِيَامِكَ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘Your serving food to your fasting brother (in belief) is better than your fasting.’”

كَانَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ع إِذَا كَانَ الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي يَصُومُ فِيهِ أَمَرَ بِشَاةٍ فَتُذْبَحُ وَ تُقْطَعُ أَعْضَاءً وَ تُطْبَخُ فَإِذَا كَانَ عِنْدَ الْمَسَاءِ أَكَبَّ عَلَى الْقُدُورِ حَتَّى يَجِدَ رِيحَ الْمَرَقِ وَ هُوَ صَائِمٌ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ هَاتُوا الْقِصَاعَ اغْرِفُوا لآِلِ فُلَانٍ وَ اغْرِفُوا لآِلِ فُلَانٍ ثُمَّ يُؤْتَى بِخُبْزٍ وَ تَمْرٍ فَيَكُونُ ذَلِكَ عَشَاءَهُ‌[1] صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ عَلَى

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that on the first day of his fasting, Ali ibn al-Husayn (a.s.), would ask his people to prepare a sheep for food. In the evening, the cooking pots gave out a fine fragrance while he was fasting, and he would then say, ‘Fill up this pot for the family of so and so and fill up this one fo

دَخَلَ سَدِيرٌ عَلَى أَبِي ع فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ يَا سَدِيرُ هَلْ تَدْرِي أَيُّ اللَّيَالِي هَذِهِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ فِدَاكَ أَبِي هَذِهِ لَيَالِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَمَا ذَاكَ فَقَالَ لَهُ- أَ تَقْدِرُ عَلَى أَنْ تُعْتِقَ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ هَذِهِ اللَّيَالِي عَشْرَ رَقَبَاتٍ مِنْ وُلْدِ إِسْمَاعِيلَ فَقَالَ لَهُ سَدِيرٌ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّي لَا يَبْلُغُ مَالِي ذَاكَ فَمَا زَالَ يَنْقُصُ حَتَّى بَلَغَ

“Once, during the month of Ramadan, Sadir went to visit abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.). The Imam asked, ‘O Sadir, do you know which nights are these days?’ He replied, ‘Yes, I pray to Allah to keep my soul and the soul of my father in service for your cause, these are the nights of the month of Ramadan, but what do they signify

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ لَا تَقُولُوا رَمَضَانَ وَ لَكِنْ قُولُوا شَهْرُ رَمَضانَ‌ فَإِنَّكُمْ لَا تَدْرُونَ مَا رَمَضَانُ.

‘Do not say, “Ramadan.” Say the month of Ramadan; you do not know what Ramadan is.’”

كُنَّا عِنْدَهُ ثَمَانِيَةَ رِجَالٍ فَذَكَرْنَا رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ لَا تَقُولُوا هَذَا رَمَضَانُ وَ لَا ذَهَبَ رَمَضَانُ‌[1] وَ لَا جَاءَ رَمَضَانُ فَإِنَّ رَمَضَانَ اسْمٌ مِنْ أَسْمَاءِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَجِي‌ءُ وَ لَا يَذْهَبُ وَ إِنَّمَا يَجِي‌ءُ وَ يَذْهَبُ الزَّائِلُ وَ لَكِنْ قُولُوا شَهْرُ رَمَضانَ‌ فَإِنَّ الشَّهْرَ مُضَافٌ إِلَى الِاسْمِ وَ الِاسْمُ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ وَ هُوَ الشَّهْرُ الّ

The Imam said, ‘You must not say, “This is Ramadan or Ramadan is gone or Ramadan has come.” Ramadan is one of the names of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, which does not come or go. What comes or goes is what is not durable. You instead should say, “The month of Ramadan.” The word “month” in this case is u

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا أَهَلَّ هِلَالَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ وَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ‌[3] فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْأَمْنِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ السَّلَامَةِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْعَافِيَةِ الْمُجَلِّلَةِ[1] وَ الرِّزْقِ الْوَاسِعِ وَ دَفْعِ الْأَسْقَامِ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنَا صِيَامَهُ وَ قِيَامَهُ وَ تِلَاوَةَ الْقُرْآنِ فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْهُ لَنَا وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا وَ سَلّ

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Ibrahim ibn ‘Umar al-Yamaniy from ‘Amr ibn Shamir from Jabir who has said the following: “Abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, upon seeing the crescent of the month of Ramadan, would turn toward the Ka‘bah, raise his h

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا كَانَ أَوَّلُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ مُنْزِلَ الْقُرْآنِ هَذَا شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنَ- وَ أَنْزَلْتَ فِيهِ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ‌ مِنَ الْهُدى‌ وَ الْفُرْقانِ‌ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنَا صِيَامَهُ وَ أَعِنَّا عَلَى قِيَامِهِ اللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْهُ لَنَا[2] وَ سَلِّمْنَا فِيهِ وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا فِي يُسْرٍ مِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘In the first night of the month of Ramadan say the following: “O Lord of the month of Ramadan and the One who has revealed the Holy Quran! This is the month of Ramadan when You have revealed the Holy Quran. You have revealed in it clear signs for guidance and discernment. O Lord, gran

ادْعُ بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ مُسْتَقْبِلَ دُخُولِ السَّنَةِ[1]- وَ ذَكَرَ أَنَّهُ مَنْ دَعَا بِهِ مُحْتَسِباً مُخْلِصاً لَمْ تُصِبْهُ فِي تِلْكَ السَّنَةِ فِتْنَةٌ وَ لَا آفَةٌ يُضَرُّ بِهَا دِينُهُ وَ بَدَنُهُ وَ وَقَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ ذِكْرُهُ شَرَّ مَا يَأْتِي بِهِ تِلْكَ السَّنَةَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي دَانَ لَهُ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَ بِرَحْمَتِكَ الَّتِي‌ وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْ‌

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from Ali ibn Ri’ab from ‘Abd al-Salih, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, who has said the following: “Say the following prayer in the month of Ramadan to welcome the year. Whoever says this prayer, expecting reward for it (from Allah), and with sincerity, no illness or cr

كَانَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ‌ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِذَا أَهَلَّ هِلَالَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ أَقْبَلَ إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ قَالَ- اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْأَمْنِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ السَّلَامَةِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْعَافِيَةِ الْمُجَلِّلَةِ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنَا صِيَامَهُ وَ قِيَامَهُ وَ تِلَاوَةَ الْقُرْآنِ فِيهِ اللَّهُمَّ سَلِّمْهُ لَنَا وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا وَ سَلِّمْنَا فِيهِ.

4. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ali ibn Asbat from al-Hakam ibn Miskin who has said that narrated to us ‘Amr ibn Shimr who has said the following: “I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say the following. ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), when seeing the crescent of the month of Ramadan facing the dire

اللَّهُمَّ أَدْخِلْهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالسَّلَامَةِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْيَقِينِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ الْبِرِّ وَ التَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَ تَرْضَى.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), when looking at the crescent of the month of Ramadan would say, “0 Allah, bring it (the month of Ramadan) upon us with peace and submission (to Your will), certainty, belief, virtue and good opportunity for whatever You love and consent with.’”

إِذَا حَضَرَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ قَدْ حَضَرَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ قَدِ افْتَرَضْتَ عَلَيْنَا صِيَامَهُ وَ أَنْزَلْتَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنَ‌ هُدىً لِلنَّاسِ وَ بَيِّناتٍ‌ مِنَ الْهُدى‌ وَ الْفُرْقانِ‌ اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنَّا عَلَى صِيَامِهِ اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْهُ مِنَّا وَ سَلِّمْنَا فِيهِ وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنَّا فِي يُسْرٍ مِنْكَ وَ عَافِيَةٍ إِنَّكَ عَلى‌ كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ قَدِيرٌ* يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِينَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when the month of Ramadan begins, say this, ‘O Allah, the month of Ramadan has begun and You have made it obligatory upon us to fast during this month. You have revealed Your book in it as guidance for people, as the most clear guidance and means of discernment (between right and w

كَانَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَدْعُو بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي بِكَ أَتَوَسَّلُ وَ مِنْكَ أَطْلُبُ حَاجَتِي مَنْ طَلَبَ حَاجَةً إِلَى النَّاسِ فَإِنِّي لَا أَطْلُبُ حَاجَتِي إِلَّا مِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ بِفَضْلِكَ وَ رِضْوَانِكَ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ لِي فِي عَامِي هَذَا إِلَى بَيْتِكَ الْحَرَامِ سَبِيلًا حَجّ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would say this prayer during the month of Ramadan, ‘O Allah, I seek help from You and ask You for my needs. There are those who ask people for their needs, but I ask only You for my needs. You are (the only Lord). You have no partners. I ask You through Your generosity and Your pleasure to grant

أَنَّ عَلِيَّ بْنَ الْحُسَيْنِ ع كَانَ يَدْعُو بِهَذَا الدُّعَاءِ فِي كُلِّ يَوْمٍ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الصِّيَامِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الْإِنَابَةِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ التَّوْبَةِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ الرَّحْمَةِ وَ هَذَا شَهْرُ الْعِتْقِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَ الْفَوْزِ بِالْجَنَّةِ اللَّهُمَّ فَسَلِّمْهُ لِي وَ تَسَلَّمْهُ مِنِّي وَ أَعِنِّي عَلَيْهِ بِأَفْضَل

8. Ahmad ibn Muhammad has narrated from Ali ibn al-Husayn from Ja’far ibn Muhammad from Afi ibn Asbat from ‘Abd af-Rahman ibn Bashir from certain individuais of his people who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, would say this prayer every day during the month of Ramadan, ‘O Allah, this is the

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ع‌ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْهِلَالَ فَلَا تَبْرَحْ وَ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذَا الشَّهْرِ وَ فَتْحَهُ وَ نُورَهُ وَ نَصْرَهُ وَ بَرَكَتَهُ وَ طَهُورَهُ وَ رِزْقَهُ وَ أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ مَا فِيهِ وَ خَيْرَ مَا بَعْدَهُ وَ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِيهِ وَ شَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهُ اللَّهُمَّ أَدْخِلْهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْأَمْنِ وَ الْإِيمَانِ وَ السَّلَامَةِ وَ الْإِسْلَامِ وَ الْبَر

9. A number of our people have narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from Ya’qub ibn Yazid from Muhammad ibn Ibrahim al-Nawfaliy from al-Husayn ibn al-Mukhtar in a marfu‘ manner who has said the following: “’Amir al-Mu’minin, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When you see the crescent of the month of Ramadan, say this without fail,

إِنَّهُ سُئِلَ عَنِ الْأَهِلَّةِ فَقَالَ هِيَ أَهِلَّةُ الشُّهُورِ فَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ الْهِلَالِ فَصُمْ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَهُ فَأَفْطِرْ.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about the crescents (mentioned in the holy Quran). He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is a reference to the new moon of the months. When you see the new moon, begin fasting; when you see the new moon discontinue fasting.’”

كَانَ عَلِيٌّ ع يَقُولُ‌ لَا أُجِيزُ فِي الْهِلَالِ إِلَّا شَهَادَةَ رَجُلَيْنِ عَدْلَيْنِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), would say, ‘I do not accept a testimony about seeing the crescent if it is from less than two just witnesses.’”

لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي الْهِلَالِ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘Testimony by women is not admissible in the case of seeing the crescent.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ صَلَوَاتُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ‌ لَا تَجُوزُ شَهَادَةُ النِّسَاءِ فِي الْهِلَالِ وَ لَا تَجُوزُ إِلَّا شَهَادَةُ رَجُلَيْنِ عَدْلَيْنِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Testimony of women about the crescent is not admissible, only the testimony of two just witnesses is accepted.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَيْسَ عَلَى أَهْلِ الْقِبْلَةِ إِلَّا الرُّؤْيَةُ لَيْسَ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِلَّا الرُّؤْيَةُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘People of al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) must see the crescent. The Muslims must see the crescent.’”

إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُ الْهِلَالَ فَصُومُوا وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتُمُوهُ فَأَفْطِرُوا وَ لَيْسَ بِالرَّأْيِ وَ لَا بِالتَّظَنِّي- وَ لَيْسَ الرُّؤْيَةَ أَنْ يَقُومَ عَشَرَةُ نَفَرٍ فَيَقُولَ وَاحِدٌ هُوَ ذَا وَ يَنْظُرُ تِسْعَةٌ فَلَا يَرَوْنَهُ لَكِنْ إِذَا رَآهُ وَاحِدٌ رَآهُ أَلْفٌ.

‘When you see the crescent, then fast and when you see the crescent (again), then discontinue fasting. It is not by opinions and conjectures. If out of ten people only one says that there is the crescent but the rest cannot see, it is not seeing. If one can see a thousand can also see.’”

إِذَا غَابَ الْهِلَالُ قَبْلَ الشَّفَقِ فَهُوَ لِلَيْلَتِهِ وَ إِذَا غَابَ بَعْدَ الشَّفَقِ فَهُوَ لِلَيْلَتَيْنِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the crescent disappears before al-Shafaq (redness), then it is its first night but if it disappears after al-Shafaq (redness) then it is its second night.’”

‌ إِذَا صَحَّ هِلَالُ شَهْرِ رَجَبٍ فَعُدَّ تِسْعَةً وَ خَمْسِينَ يَوْماً وَ صُمْ يَوْمَ السِّتِّينَ

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If the crescent of the month of Rajab is established, then count fifty nine days and fast the sixtieth day.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ عُدَّ شَعْبَانَ تِسْعَةً وَ عِشْرِينَ يَوْماً فَإِنْ كَانَتْ مُتَغَيِّمَةً فَأَصْبِحْ صَائِماً فَإِنْ كَانَتْ صَاحِيَةً وَ تَبَصَّرْتَهُ وَ لَمْ تَرَ شَيْئاً فَأَصْبِحْ مُفْطِراً.[3]

‘Count of the month of al-Sha‘ban twenty nine days; if it is cloudy then fast, but if it is clear and you looked but did not see anything, you can remain without fasting.’”

إِذَا رَأَوُا الْهِلَالَ قَبْلَ الزَّوَالِ فَهُوَ لِلَيْلَتِهِ الْمَاضِيَةِ وَ إِذَا رَأَوْهُ بَعْدَ الزَّوَالِ فَهُوَ لِلَيْلَتِهِ الْمُسْتَقْبَلَةِ.

‘If they can see the crescent before Zawal (declining of the sun toward the west at noontime), then it is of the last night but if they see it after Zawal, then it is of the coming night.’”

إِذَا تَطَوَّقَ الْهِلَالُ فَهُوَ لِلَيْلَتَيْنِ وَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَ ظِلَّ رَأْسِكَ فِيهِ فَهُوَ لِثَلَاثِ لَيَالٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if the crescent forms a crown around it, then it is two nights old and if you can see the shadow of your head it is three nights old.’”

إِذَا غَابَ الْهِلَالُ قَبْلَ الشَّفَقِ فَهُوَ لِلَيْلَتِهِ وَ إِذَا غَابَ بَعْدَ الشَّفَقِ فَهُوَ لِلَيْلَتَيْنِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If the crescent disappears before al-Shafaq (redness) it is of the first night, but if disappears after al-Shafaq it is of the second night.’”

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ثَلَاثُونَ يَوْماً لَا يَنْقُصُ أَبَداً.[3] - وَ عَنْهُ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَنِ ابْنِ سِنَانٍ عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ مِثْلَهُ‌[4].

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The month of Ramadan is thirty days and it never is less.”’ (Fatwa best explains this Hadith, however according to science, a lunar (synodic) month is 29 days, 12 hours, and approximately 44 minutes) It is narrated from him (narrator of previous Hadith) from al-Hassan ibn al-Husayn f

إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى خَلَقَ الدُّنْيَا فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ‌ ثُمَّ اخْتَزَلَهَا[5] عَنْ أَيَّامِ السَّنَةِ وَ السَّنَةُ ثَلَاثُمِائَةٍ وَ أَرْبَعٌ وَ خَمْسُونَ يَوْماً- شَعْبَانُ لَا يَتِمُ‌ أَبَداً رَمَضَانُ لَا يَنْقُصُ وَ اللَّهِ أَبَداً وَ لَا تَكُونُ فَرِيضَةٌ نَاقِصَةً إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ- وَ لِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ[1] وَ شَوَّالٌ تِسْعَةٌ وَ عِشْرُونَ يَوْماً وَ ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Allah, most Blessed, most High, created the world in six days, then He took away this from the days of the year which became three hundred fifty four days. The month of al-Sha‘ban is never complete and the month of Ramadan, by Allah is never less. A duty (obligation) is never left inc

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ثَلَاثُونَ يَوْماً لَا يَنْقُصُ وَ اللَّهِ أَبَداً[3].

‘The month of Ramadan has thirty days; it never by Allah is incomplete.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ السَّمَاءَ تُطْبِقُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْعِرَاقِ الْيَوْمَ وَ الْيَوْمَيْنِ وَ الثَّلَاثَةَ فَأَيَّ يَوْمٍ نَصُومُ قَالَ انْظُرِ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي صُمْتَ مِنَ السَّنَةِ الْمَاضِيَةِ وَ صُمْ يَوْمَ الْخَامِسِ.

1. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from certain persons of our people from Muhammad ibn ‘Isa [ibn ‘Ubayd] from Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Madaniy from ‘Imran Za‘faraniy who has said the following: “I once said to abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), that in Iraq the sky remains cloudy for one, two or three days. Which day must we fast?’

صُمْ فِي الْعَامِ الْمُسْتَقْبَلِ يَوْمَ الْخَامِسِ مِنْ يَوْمِ صُمْتَ فِيهِ عَامَ أَوَّلَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Fast on the fifth day of the coming year from the day you fasted the year before.’”

كَتَبَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْفَرَجِ إِلَى الْعَسْكَرِيِّ ع يَسْأَلُهُ عَمَّا رُوِيَ مِنَ الْحِسَابِ فِي الصَّوْمِ عَنْ آبَائِكَ فِي عَدِّ خَمْسَةِ أَيَّامٍ بَيْنَ أَوَّلِ السَّنَةِ الْمَاضِيَةِ وَ السَّنَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ الَّتِي تَأْتِي فَكَتَبَ صَحِيحٌ وَ لَكِنْ عُدَّ فِي كُلِّ أَرْبَعِ سِنِينَ خَمْساً وَ فِي السَّنَةِ الْخَامِسَةِ سِتّاً فِيمَا بَيْنَ الْأُولَى وَ الْحَادِثِ وَ مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ خَمْسَةٌ

“Muhammad ibn al-Faraj once wrote to al-‘Askariy (a.s.), asking about what is narrated, for calculating to fast, from his ancestors about the five days of the last year and six days of the coming year. He (the Imam) wrote, ‘It is correct but count five days in every four years and in the sixth year six days in between

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّا نَمْكُثُ فِي الشِّتَاءِ الْيَوْمَ وَ الْيَوْمَيْنِ لَا تُرَى شَمْسٌ وَ لَا نَجْمٌ فَأَيَّ يَوْمٍ نَصُومُ قَالَ انْظُرِ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي صُمْتَ مِنَ السَّنَةِ الْمَاضِيَةِ وَ عُدَّ خَمْسَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَ صُمِ الْيَوْمَ الْخَامِسَ.

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘In winter we cannot see the sun or stars for one or two days. When must we fast?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Think, on what day you fasted last year, then count five days and fast on the fifth day.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع- عَنِ الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِيهِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ قَالَ لَأَنْ أَصُومَ يَوْماً مِنْ شَعْبَانَ أَحَبُّ إِلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ أُفْطِرَ يَوْماً مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ.

’Fasting one day of the month of al-Sha’ban is more beloved to me than losing one day of the month of Ramadan.”’

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنِ‌ الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِيهِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ لَا يَدْرِي أَ هُوَ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ أَوْ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ فَصَامَهُ فَكَانَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ قَالَ هُوَ يَوْمٌ وُفِّقَ لَهُ وَ لَا قَضَاءَ عَلَيْهِ.

“I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about the case of the day which is doubtful of being of the month of Ramadan and one does not know if it is of al-Sha’ban or of the month of Ramadan. He fasts that day and it was of the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘It was a day when he fortunately fasted and there is no Qa

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الرَّجُلُ يَصُومُ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي يَشُكُّ فِيهِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَيَكُونُ كَذَلِكَ فَقَالَ هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ وُفِّقَ لَهُ.

“I once asked Abu `Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who fasts on a day which is doubtful of its being from al-Sha‘ban or of the month of Ramadan, and it happens to be of the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘It was something in which he was fortunate.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنِّي صُمْتُ الْيَوْمَ الَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِيهِ فَكَانَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ أَ فَأَقْضِيهِ قَالَ لَا هُوَ يَوْمٌ وُفِّقْتَ لَهُ.

“I once asked Abu `Abd Allah (a.s.), ’I have fasted on the day which is doubtful about its being of al-Sha £ ban or of the month of Ramadan, if there is Qada’ (compensatory fast) upon me.’ He (the Imam) said, £ No, Qada’ (compensatory fast) is not obligatory on you and it was a day in which you had a fortunate chance.’

سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ الشَّكِّ فَقَالَ صُمْهُ فَإِنْ يَكُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ كَانَ تَطَوُّعاً وَ إِنْ يَكُ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَيَوْمٌ وُفِّقْتَ لَهُ.

“I once asked Abu `Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a doubtful day. He (the Imam) said, ’Fast on such day, if it is of al-Sha £ ban, it is optional and if it is of the month of Ramadan then it is a day in which you have a fortunate chance.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع رَجُلٌ صَامَ يَوْماً وَ لَا يَدْرِي أَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هُوَ أَوْ مِنْ غَيْرِهِ فَجَاءَ قَوْمٌ فَشَهِدُوا أَنَّهُ كَانَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ بَعْضُ النَّاسِ عِنْدَنَا لَا يُعْتَدُّ بِهِ فَقَالَ بَلَى فَقُلْتُ إِنَّهُمْ قَالُوا صُمْتَ وَ أَنْتَ لَا تَدْرِي أَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هَذَا أَمْ مِنْ غَيْرِهِ فَقَالَ بَلَى فَاعْتَدَّ بِهِ فَإِنَّمَا هُوَ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَفَّقَكَ اللّ

“I once asked Abu `Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who fasts a day and does not know if it is of the month of Ramadan or if it is of other days. Then certain people come and testify that it is of the month of Ramadan. Certain people say that it is not reliable. He (the Imam) said, £ Yes, that is true.’ I then said that t

دَخَلْتُ عَلَى أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ بِالْحِيرَةِ[1] فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ مَا تَقُولُ فِي الصِّيَامِ الْيَوْمَ فَقُلْتُ ذَاكَ إِلَى الْإِمَامِ إِنْ صُمْتَ صُمْنَا وَ إِنْ أَفْطَرْتَ أَفْطَرْنَا فَقَالَ يَا غُلَامُ عَلَيَّ بِالْمَائِدَةِ فَأَكَلْتُ مَعَهُ وَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ وَ اللَّهِ أَنَّهُ يَوْمٌ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَكَانَ إِفْطَارِي يَوْماً وَ قَضَاؤُهُ أَيْسَرَ عَلَيَّ مِنْ أَنْ يُضْرَبَ عُنُقِي وَ لَا

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Once I went to abu al- ‘Abbas in al-Hirah and he asked, “O abu ‘Abd Allah, what do you say about today’s fast?” I replied, “It is up to the Imam to decide; if you fast we also fast, if you do not fast, we also will not fast.” He then said, “O slave, prepare the table.” I ate with him

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا الْحَسَنِ ع عَنِ الْيَوْمِ الَّذِي يُشَكُّ فِيهِ فَإِنَّ النَّاسَ يَزْعُمُونَ أَنَّ مَنْ صَامَهُ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَنْ أَفْطَرَ يَوْماً فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ كَذَبُوا إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَهُوَ يَوْمٌ وُفِّقَ لَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مِنْ غَيْرِهِ فَهُوَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ مَا مَضَى مِنَ الْأَيَّامِ.

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about the case of a day about which people have doubts. People think if one fasts on such a day, it is like destroying one day of fasting in the month of Ramadan. He (the Imam) said, ‘They have spoken a lie. If it is of the month of Ramadan, it is a fortunate chance for him; and if i

وَ هُوَ بِالْحِيرَةِ فِي زَمَانِ أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ إِنِّي دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ وَ قَدْ شَكَّ النَّاسُ فِي الصَّوْمِ وَ هُوَ وَ اللَّهِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ أَ صُمْتَ الْيَوْمَ فَقُلْتُ لَا وَ الْمَائِدَةُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ قَالَ فَادْنُ فَكُلْ قَالَ فَدَنَوْتُ فَأَكَلْتُ قَالَ وَ قُلْتُ الصَّوْمُ مَعَكَ وَ الْفِطْرُ مَعَكَ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع تُ

‘I, in the time of abu al- ‘Abbas, once was in al-Hirah, when I went before him and people had doubts about the fast, and that day, by Allah, was of the month of Ramadan. I said Salam (the phrase of offering greeting of peace) to him and he asked, “O abu ‘Abd Allah, have you fasted today?” I replied, “No, I have not fa

قَالَ لِي‌ يَوْماً يَا زُهْرِيُّ مِنْ أَيْنَ جِئْتَ فَقُلْتُ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ قَالَ فِيمَ كُنْتُمْ قُلْتُ تَذَاكَرْنَا أَمْرَ الصَّوْمِ فَاجْتَمَعَ رَأْيِي وَ رَأْيُ أَصْحَابِي عَلَى أَنَّهُ لَيْسَ مِنَ الصَّوْمِ شَيْ‌ءٌ وَاجِبٌ إِلَّا صَوْمُ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ فَقَالَ يَا زُهْرِيُّ لَيْسَ كَمَا قُلْتُمْ الصَّوْمُ عَلَى أَرْبَعِينَ وَجْهاً فَعَشَرَةُ أَوْجُهٍ مِنْهَا وَاجِبَةٌ كَوُجُوبِ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ عَشَرَةُ أَو

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from af-Qasim ibn Muhammad af-Jawhariy from Sulayman ibn Dawud from Sufyan ibn ‘Uyaynah from af-Zuhriy who has said the following: “Ali ibn al-Husayn, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, one day asked me, ‘O Zuhriy, where from are you coming?’ I replied, ’I am coming from the Masjid.’ He t

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا صُمْتَ فَلْيَصُمْ سَمْعُكَ وَ بَصَرُكَ وَ شَعْرُكَ وَ جِلْدُكَ وَ عَدَّدَ أَشْيَاءَ غَيْرَ هَذَا وَ قَالَ لَا يَكُونُ يَوْمُ صَوْمِكَ كَيَوْمِ فِطْرِكَ.

1. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthman from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “Abu ‘ Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘When you fast, your ears, eyes, hairs and skin must also fast . . counting other things also, the Imam said that ‘the day of you

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص- لِجَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ يَا جَابِرُ هَذَا شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ مَنْ صَامَ نَهَارَهُ وَ قَامَ وِرْداً مِنْ لَيْلِهِ‌[2] وَ عَفَّ بَطْنُهُ وَ فَرْجُهُ وَ كَفَّ لِسَانَهُ خَرَجَ مِنْ ذُنُوبِهِ كَخُرُوجِهِ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ فَقَالَ جَابِرٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا أَحْسَنَ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص يَا جَابِرُ وَ مَا أَشَدَّ هَذِهِ الشُّرُوطَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, once said to Jabir ibn ‘Abd Allah, “O Jabir, this is the month of Ramadan. Anyone who fasts during its days, stands for salat (prayer) during its nights, maintains his st

إِنَّ الصِّيَامَ لَيْسَ مِنَ الطَّعَامِ وَ الشَّرَابِ وَحْدَهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَتْ مَرْيَمُ- إِنِّي نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمنِ صَوْماً أَيْ صَوْماً صَمْتاً وَ فِي نُسْخَةٍ أُخْرَى أَيْ صَمْتاً فَإِذَا صُمْتُمْ فَاحْفَظُوا أَلْسِنَتَكُمْ وَ غُضُّوا أَبْصَارَكُمْ وَ لَا تَنَازَعُوا وَ لَا تَحَاسَدُوا قَالَ وَ سَمِعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص امْرَأَةً تَسُبُّ جَارِيَةً لَهَا وَ هِيَ صَائِمَةٌ فَدَعَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص بِطَعَامٍ فَقَ

3. A number of our people have narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Nadr ibn Suwayd, from al- Qasim ibn Sulayman, from Jarrah al-Mada’iniy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that fasting is not fasting from food and drink only.” He then said, “Mary had s

إِذَا صَامَ أَحَدُكُمُ الثَّلَاثَةَ الْأَيَّامِ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ فَلَا يُجَادِلَنَّ أَحَداً وَ لَا يَجْهَلْ وَ لَا يُسْرِعْ إِلَى الْحَلْفِ وَ الْأَيْمَانِ بِاللَّهِ فَإِنْ جَهِلَ عَلَيْهِ أَحَدٌ فَلْيَتَحَمَّلْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if anyone of you fasts for three days of a month, you should not quarrel with anyone or act ignorantly. He should not be hasty to swear or to swear by Allah, and if anyone else may act ignorantly, he should exercise forbearance.”

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ صَالِحٍ يُشْتَمُ فَيَقُولُ إِنِّي صَائِمٌ سَلَامٌ عَلَيْكَ لَا أَشْتِمُكَ كَمَا شَتَمْتَنِي إِلَّا قَالَ الرَّبُّ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى اسْتَجَارَ عَبْدِي بِالصَّوْمِ مِنْ شَرِّ عَبْدِي فَقَدْ أَجَرْتُهُ مِنَ النَّارِ.

"There is no righteous servant who is insulted and responds by saying, 'I am fasting, may peace be upon you, I do not insult you as you have insulted me,' except that the Lord, Blessed and Exalted, says, 'My servant has sought protection in fasting from the evil of My servant; thus, I grant him protection from the Fire

لَا يُنْشَدُ الشِّعْرُ بِلَيْلٍ‌[2] وَ لَا يُنْشَدُ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ بِلَيْلٍ وَ لَا نَهَارٍ فَقَالَ لَهُ إِسْمَاعِيلُ يَا أَبَتَاهْ فَإِنَّهُ فِينَا قَالَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ فِينَا.

“Abu ‘ Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not read poems during the night. You must not read poems in the month of Ramadan during the night or during the day.’ Isma‘il then said, ‘Father, but it is in our praise.’ The Imam said, ‘Even if it is in our praise, do not read poems.’”

قَالَ أَمِيرُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ص‌ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ بِكَثْرَةِ الِاسْتِغْفَارِ وَ الدُّعَاءِ فَأَمَّا الدُّعَاءُ فَيُدْفَعُ بِهِ عَنْكُمُ الْبَلَاءُ وَ أَمَّا الِاسْتِغْفَارُ فَيَمْحَى ذُنُوبَكُمْ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that ’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘In the month of Ramadan you should increase asking forgiveness from Allah and offering prayer before Him. Prayers repel misfortunes, and asking forgiveness deletes your sins.’”